WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2009

JONAH HEX ANIMATED

DC Comics' Jonah Hex -- already featured in a live-action movie starring Josh Brolin next year -- will be the subject of an animated project as well, The Continuum has learned.

Jonah Hex will be featured in a short from Warner Bros. Animation, written by Joe R. Lansdale.

The short will likely be attached to one of the direct-to-DVD animated films based on DC Comics characters. According to sources, multiple shorts are being produced for inclusion with the movies. It's likely the shorts will then be put together for a compilation DVD, which might also include new material.

Warner Bros. has not confirmed this information.

Lansdale, right, has a long association with the Jonah Hex character. He teamed with artist Tim Truman for three comics mini-series in the 1990s. He's also handled the character in animation before, writing the "Showdown" episode of Batman: The Animated Series that featured Jonah Hex and Ra's al Ghul.

Voiced by Phil Morris, Jonah Hex has appeared in the current Batman: The Brave and the Bold animated series on Cartoon Network. The new animated version will not guest-star any DC super-heroes and will be more in line with the PG-13 content of the DC animated films.

DAN PARENT TALKS COLBIE CAILLAT, VERONICA

"With her good looks she blends in well with Betty and Veronica," Parent said, also noting his likenesses were approved immediately.

For the complete question-and-answer with Parent about the issue, CLICK HERE.

ZENESCOPE PREVIEWS TITLES AT COMIC-CON

Zenescope Entertainment has announced it will debut a preview issue flip-book for two upcoming science-fiction titles and a limited edition convention exclusive of Grimm Fairy Tales #40 at Comic-Con International in San Diego July 22-26.

The flip-book preview showcases Agon and Merc, both scheduled for a fall release.

Here's how Zenescope describes Agon:

"Agon is an epic five-issue mini-series in which Earth is forced to participate in an intergalactic gladiatorial battle that pits highly evolved species from various planets against one another. Earth's people must pick their best warriors to compete in the ancient combat ritual of Agon, a tournament which will ultimately determine the fate of the planet."

Here's how Zenescopes describes Merc:

"Merc, another high concept mini-series, follows Sonny Grissom, a mercenary who upgrades his body through cybernetic enhancements and powerful steroid boosters. But after years of serious mistreatment, Sonny's body is failing. With his conscience eating away, Grissom decides to gear up and accept the most daring contract of his wasted life, one that can save thousands of lives and give him a final shot at redemption."

The flip-book contains 28 pages of story. It will retail at $2.99, but will be available at the Zenescope booth at Comic-Con for $1.

ASPEN COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and four-page preview of Soulfire: New World Order #3 from Aspen Comics, arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

Look for more First Looks soon here in The Continuum.

DARK HORSE COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For covers and three-page previews of Dark Horse Comics titles arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

Titles include Citizen Rex #1, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #43 and Star Wars: The Clone Wars #7.

ARCHIE COMICS FIRST LOOKS

For cover and three-page preview of Betty & Veronica Spectacular #90 from Archie Comics, arriving in stores on July 15, CLICK HERE.

Look for more First Looks soon here in The Continuum.

SEPTEMBER SOLICITATIONS ROUNDUP

For previously posted September solicitations, click on the publishers' names below:

BRIEFLY

* Bluewater Productions has announced that it will add an epilogue to the Sarah Palin portion of its Female Force Volume I trade paperback following Palin's recent resignation as governor of Alaska.

"We felt this was another defining moment in her career and we would be remiss if we didn't update her story," said Darren Davis, Bluewater's president. "Because of the lead time needed to print the book for its September release, we will try and include any relevant details reported this month."

Ryan Howe, who drew the original Palin story, will also draw the epilogue.

The Female Force trade paperback, scheduled for a Sept. 30 release, also features Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, and Caroline Kennedy.

* Marvel Comics has announced a second printing for the sold-out Deadpool: Merc with a Mouth #1. The new printing will feature Bong Dazo's interior art on the cover and will be in stores on August 5.

* DC Comics has announced a second printing for the sold-out Detective Comics #854. The new printing will feature a new color by J.H. Williams III and Dave Stewart.

* New episodes of Wolverine and the X-Men and Iron Man: Armored Adventures will resume later this month on Nicktoons. The network will begin airing Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes, which previously aired on Cartoon Network, this fall.

COMICS CONTINUUM BACK ISSUES

If you missed The Continuum's coverage over the past month, following are links. Click on the date to get the day's full report.